Support NeoGAF

[Deleted member 22576]

Haha, this one time I had a blind date with a girl and the girl wanted to be lena dunham. It was ALL she talked about, that and the people she met in barcelona from her 3 week senior trip that she hadnt seen since but of course they were basically her second family. Oh, and the hunger games movie was a work of genius too. Wow, Ive never really realized how awful that date was until now.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

How the hell is he overweight when he basically starves himself?

Howard has massive body issues.

edit: Also, it's "Backpedaling," as in to pedal backwards away from your initial sentiment/statement.

Back Peddling is to sell people backs.

 

[MarauderShields]

terrible radio host with awful fans?

i've never even seen the show Girls but chances are it's much better than whatever stern's doing these days

That doesnt say much as even his fans know his show sucks now

 

[Riggs]

He is a really ugly dude who lucked out on his career. I've never seen Girls.

Personal preferences aside, if you can put that aside, would you not want you daughter to work the system to her advantage, as many males before her have?

If she ends up anything like a Kim Kardashian type?

Fuck no.

 

[Riggs]

terrible radio host with awful fans?

i've never even seen the show Girls but chances are it's much better than whatever stern's doing these days

Ya we can't all strive to be good as Imus and Rush Limbaugh.

Oops double post.

That doesnt say much as even his fans know his show sucks now

lol I knew you would be in this thread

 

[GhostWriter24]

Originally Posted by RobotMafia: View Post
He is a really ugly dude who lucked out on his career.

Um, Stern went to Boston University, paid his dues on shit radio then eventually earned his career. He's talking about a few privileged white girls riding their already famous fathers' and Judd Apatow's coattails.

 

[Riggs]

Um, Stern went to University, paid his dues on shit radio eventyually and earned his career. He's talking about a few privileged white girls riding their fathers and Judd Apatow's coattails.

Don't bother. So many people judge Stern and probably have never listened to a single show in their lives. Except Maraudershields who listens daily and hates the show lol.

Dude has amazing talent and interview skills, the show is nothing like it used to be. But it's still tons better than a lot of the other stuff out there.

 

[985boi]

OH GOD Brian William's daughter was on Letterman a couple nights ago. I want to marry this woman:

Rick Ross *HUFF*/

Wait, what?!?! I had no idea until now.

 

[RobotMafia]

Um, Stern went to Boston University, paid his dues on shit radio then eventually earned his career. He's talking about a few privileged white girls riding their already famous fathers' and Judd Apatow's coattails.

baba booey. He was a jock who got lucky. He wasn't the first or best to do what he did. His following is just bizarre to me.

 

[akira28]

Stern is a Larry King caliber radio broadcaster. But he always enjoyed nastiness too much for me. Super the thought is people like the whole brashness and raunchiness, but really, just make with the comedy and introduce me to some sexy girls in very little clothing.

 

[Pyronite]

I heard it from a coworker but didn't know the specifics until that image. An average show from an average writer with lots of nepotism and big-name backing to make sure it's "critically acclaimed" and succeeds no matter what.

The word you're looking for is "privilege". That poster, and you, are using the word nepotism incorrectly.

Also, you know, opinions and all. Some very well-established players disagree with you in some very major ways. Or else the show would not exist at all.

I'm not able to get as worked up about race in "Girls" as you are, but Lena Dunham (as far as I understand) has made it clear that she's aware of it and would like to respond. I don't think there's anything malicious or of ill-intent that led to the casting of a bunch of white people. In some instances, she probably had nothing at all to do with it (think the party scene with a hundred extras). We all fight insularity and I can't empathize with the level of passion you have on this.

Back Peddling is to sell people backs.

lol

 

[radios shipping overview]

Goddamn. Crispin Glover makes a good point. If this show is comparable to Louie than I will definitely watch it.

Why is watching an overweight middle-aged man fumble through sexual situations and life A-OK, but watching an overweight young woman do the same is horrible?

They're actually pretty comparable shows. Louie's character is more sympathetic than Lena's because of his life experience, humility, and parenthood. Girls is a lot more polished and slick.

 

[maharg]

Lena Dunham's character, who she uses as a mouthpiece, has said precisely that she's speaking for a generation of people like her, and later implied it in interviews with the language she uses to describe her show. She's aware but, like many white persons, doesn't correlate it with her whiteness and well-connected upbringing.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/04/lena-dunham-girls-race.html#ixzz2HtbhmxrC



That's how naive and blind she is, and that's why I loathe junk like Girls. The nonchalant, casual attitude of people like her who "don't notice" minorities (or the complete lack of). The utter lack of black and hispanics people in depicting Prospect Heights (70%+ of the pop.!) doesn't register mentally in her life of privilege. It may just be a show, but Dunham panders to the self-obsessed, passively racist person in NY: the kind who interacts with minorities as little as possible (otherwise it's inconvenient), says he "has a black friend" and therefore can't possibly be racist when behaving in a racist manner, and who quietly becomes upset if ethnic minorities move into her upper-class (white) neighborhood in any significant numbers.

As has been pointed out, the line in the pilot is not intended to be taken seriously. The show is absolutely a 'mouthpiece' of sorts for Lena Dunham, but that doesn't mean every word out of her character's mouth is to be taken literally. Especially taken in the context of the whole scene.

As for the rest, she got called out on her privilege and she's responded to it in an open and gracious way. It's a shame that others haven't. I'll quote from the New Yorker article because it actually sums up my views on the matter quite well (the whole article, not just this quote):

But I don’t fault her entirely, if only because she seems genuinely open to such criticism and admits that she’s still learning.

Honestly, I just don't think it's fair to use her own words acknowledging the invisible privilege she experiences, accompanied by a promise to do better, against her like that. But I also recognize that I'm coming at this from an angle of privilege myself. It's definitely not enough that she's said what she's said, she's got to prove it as well.

 

[Ryaaan14]

Holy shit lmao

God, sad thing is this kind of thing is becoming harder and harder to avoid. It's no wonder the media is oversaturated with so much garbage.

 

[Keri]

If she ends up anything like a Kim Kardashian type?

Fuck no.

I've watched Kim Kardashian's show on E! AND listened to quite a bit of Howard Stern.

They're actually not that different from each other.

They've both picked specific angles that they know get them attention (both positive and negative) and they've masterfully used them to build successful careers.

 

[computers putin']

just googled her, and I think she's actually kinda cute

 

[freddy]

It's a mean thing to say but she isn't anything remotely close to write home about.

..and Howard Stern is? The only reasons you are attracted to Howard Stern, are his money and fame.

 

[Halvie]

and Howard Stern is?

and Howard suggested he was?

 

[freddy]

and Howard suggested he was?

I think Howard has always been attracted to himself, yes.

 

[Riggs]

I've watched Kim Kardashian's show on E! AND listened to quite a bit of Howard Stern.

They're actually not that different from each other.

They've both picked specific angles that they know get them attention (both positive and negative) and they've masterfully used them to build successful careers.

I think Howard has always been attracted to himself, yes.

Rofl, have you ever listened to the show? His self loathing is on some next level shit.

 

[maharg]

and Howard suggested he was?

did Lena suggest she was?

 

[faceless007]

I heard on the radio a clip from the second episode of the season, of a scene between Hannah and her black boyfriend (Donald Glover) where she brings up his race. Suffice it to say the scene is a hilarious and brutal mocking of Hannah's own privilege and her own inability to understand race, and comes across as a pretty incisive meta-commentary on the show, and sharper than I would have given Dunham credit for. Note: this requires an understanding that Hannah's thoughts are not necessarily Dunham's, which evidently some people still have trouble with.

 

[BertramCooper]

This show is not nearly good enough to get this worked up over.

 

[Halvie]

did Lena suggest she was?

uhhh really guy?

 

[freddy]

I think this is a fine example of how Howard Stern has built himself up to the level of fame he has now. Find someone he perceives as weak, denigrate them to provoke outrage, and then proceed to bask in the adulation of the lowest common denominator.

 

[maharg]

uhhh really guy?

Maybe you could expand on what your point is.

 

[Riggs]

I think this is a fine example of how Howard Stern has built himself up to the level of fame he has now. Find someone he perceives as weak, denigrate them to provoke outrage, and then proceed to bask in the adulation of the lowest common denominator.

I think you're thinking too much, stop going above your pay grade and fight me like a man.

 

[Halvie]

Maybe you could expand on what your point is.

Still trying to figure out what point you think you are making.

 

[MarauderShields]

I think this is a fine example of how Howard Stern has built himself up to the level of fame he has now. Find someone he perceives as weak, denigrate them to provoke outrage, and then proceed to bask in the adulation of the lowest common denominator.

Thats the old Howard. He is a big Hollywood ass kisser now. He will back peddle on his next show.

 

[gdt]

I think this is a fine example of how Howard Stern has built himself up to the level of fame he has now. Find someone he perceives as weak, denigrate them to provoke outrage, and then proceed to bask in the adulation of the lowest common denominator.

oh god

 

[Dr. Feel Good]

Uhh. Did anyone actually hear this on his show? It was such an off comment thing I feel like this is out of context. He says he loved the show in the same breath. You people should start listening to his show.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

He will back peddle on his next show.

Pretty sure you need some sort of license to slang those wares.

Uhh. Did anyone actually hear this on his show? It was such an off comment thing I feel like this is out of context. He says he loved the show in the same breath. You people should start listening to his show.

There's also the tweet that's been posted where he says he loves the show, and that he thinks he's fat, too.

But if this thread becomes the "referendum on the long, storied career of Howard Stern," then what he thinks of Lena Dunham will probably end up being a minimal point.

 

[see5harp]

I don't mind Howard saying it as long as he likes the show. That's what is important at the end of the day. Season 2 starts tonight!!!!!!

 

[ElectricBlue187]

I envy the fact that Stern can basically say anything that enters his brain to millions of people and nobody gives a shit lol

 

[mr stroke]

Uhh. Did anyone actually hear this on his show? It was such an off comment thing I feel like this is out of context. He says he loved the show in the same breath. You people should start listening to his show.

+1

quote taken out of context.

I love Stern and love the shit out of Girls. Its the best Comedy on TV IMO.

 

[Horseticuffs]

Well whatever floats your boat, fellows, but I think she's pretty damned cute. I don't really watch TV, but I'm sure the show isn't without some merit. It's so easy to tear shit down.

On the subject of Stern, I listened for years 'till he left my market in my teens. I really enjoyed his book and film, though. Perhaps he isn't to your taste, but he surely is entertaining. Controversy only takes you so far for so long and he's way beyond that at this point.

 

[victreeb3l]

she does nothing for me. i dont think shes attractive at all

i saw the trailer when it first came out for this show and it looked uninteresting as hell. but i hear there are sex scenes with brian williams' hot daughter so i might check those bits out

 

[Messi]

she does nothing for me. i dont think shes attractive at all

i saw the trailer when it first came out for this show and it looked uninteresting as hell. but i hear there are sex scenes with brian williams' hot daughter so i might check those bits out

I would not bother and I love the show

 

[EleventhDoctor]

I think this is a fine example of how Howard Stern has built himself up to the level of fame he has now. Find someone he perceives as weak, denigrate them to provoke outrage, and then proceed to bask in the adulation of the lowest common denominator.

 

[T.M. MacReady]

Dunham is gross
Girls is terrible
Howard Stern says things that upset people


and the world continues to spin on

 

[Jado]

The word you're looking for is "privilege". That poster, and you, are using the word nepotism incorrectly.

Also, you know, opinions and all. Some very well-established players disagree with you in some very major ways. Or else the show would not exist at all.

I'm not able to get as worked up about race in "Girls" as you are, but Lena Dunham (as far as I understand) has made it clear that she's aware of it and would like to respond. I don't think there's anything malicious or of ill-intent that led to the casting of a bunch of white people. In some instances, she probably had nothing at all to do with it (think the party scene with a hundred extras). We all fight insularity and I can't empathize with the level of passion you have on this.

Cronyism then? Circle jerking? Same principle; an otherwise unremarkable privileged group with well-known family being given unusual lucrative opportunities by another group of insiders. None of these are complete unknowns making it big purely with their talents.

I didn't say she was willfully malicious. I stated it's a passive ignorance that leads these people to not even recognize a problem exists at all; no one notices that everyone's white and that the setting has been white-washed, reacting along the lines of "oops, totally didn't realize I didn't include brown people in this neighborhood that's three-quarters brown." Wouldn't be surprised if the large Polish population of Greenpoint was invisible too. Anyway, it's upsetting because of the experience of living in similar black/brown NYC neighborhoods for 25 years and feeling the marginalization that casually occurs on these shows. Young minority lead is never a consideration in anyone's brain; everything is default white, and only much later do token characters get tossed our way when there's vocal criticism (Donald). I don't expect you to fully understand or "get as worked up" as me, although you seem to imply I'm overreacting...? I've heard that one before too. Thanks.

 

[Keri]

Cronyism then? Circle jerking? Same principle; an otherwise unremarkable privileged group with well-known family being given unusual lucrative opportunities by another group of insiders. None of these are complete unknowns making it big purely with their talents.

Oh please.

You don't know that any of this is true. So stop repeating it, as if it is.

 

[vidcons]

jado, lena commented on the subject and it was announced months ago that the issue of race representation has been addressed for the new season. she's 26, acknowledged she's still learning, and been completely classy despite what's been throw at her.

like, chill

sex scenes with brian williams' hot daughter so i might check those bits out

lol

 

[Conciliator]

Dunham and her girlfriends brushed off Stern’s rant Wednesday at HBO’s star-studded second-season premiere event. “I think Howard Stern’s really earned the right to freedom of speech,” she told us.

Damn, Dunham with the class. Never seen the show tho, don't have an opinion on it.

 

[MG310]

Setting yourselves up for disappointment...Marnie & Charlie's sex scene is just incredibly uncomfortable for everyone involved.

 

[SolKane]

I didn't say she was willfully malicious. I stated it's a passive ignorance that leads these people to not even recognize a problem exists at all; no one notices that everyone's white and that the setting has been white-washed, reacting along the lines of "oops, totally didn't realize I didn't include brown people in this neighborhood that's three-quarters brown." Wouldn't be surprised if the large Polish population of Greenpoint was invisible too. Anyway, it's upsetting because of the experience of living in similar black/brown NYC neighborhoods for 25 years and feeling the marginalization that casually occurs on these shows. Young minority lead is never a consideration in anyone's brain; everything is default white, and only much later do token characters get tossed our way when there's vocal criticism (Donald). I don't expect you to fully understand or "get as worked up" as me, although you seem to imply I'm overreacting...? I've heard that one before too. Thanks.

Rule number one of writing is write what you know. If this is the world she comes from - the educated, white-washed, young urbanite class - what is wrong with her seeking to tell that tale? I think the criticisms of media are legitimate especially in regards to how minorities remain hidden, but wanting her to write something that is from another perspective, that comes from a place of social consciousness is tendentious, and tendentiousness has no place in a creative work. At that point it's not art, it's propaganda. What really needs to happen is not for Lena Dunham to alter her work by some contrivance, but for others to have the same opportunity to present their own voice, their own work. I agree with you in principle but I think you are upset at the wrong people. I think if you actually watched the show you'd realize that Lena Dunham's character is in fact not supposed to stand as a mouthpiece for her generation, and I think there are undertones to the show that actually reveal the lead characters' naiviete and general ignorance of the world.

 

[faceless007]

Cronyism then? Circle jerking? Same principle; an otherwise unremarkable privileged group with well-known family being given unusual lucrative opportunities by another group of insiders. None of these are complete unknowns making it big purely with their talents.

It would take quite a bit of obfuscation to describe Dunham's rise as anything but that. She made a DIY movie with a digital camera and her family and friends and took it to Sundance, and it so impressed a successful director that he agreed to help produce a series for her. That's the pretty textbook way to get started in Hollywood without any connections. If you really think her having a successful painter for a mom played a key role in any of that happening (because Hollywood and the New York art community are so close) you're probably broadening the definition of "connections" too much.

I mean, you're certainly not wrong about the problems of minority representation in Hollywood and the use of token minorities (although I would actually wait to see what Girls does in its second season about it before writing it off entirely; the scene I heard seemed pretty sharp), but attacking this specific show's cast for having the temerity to have parents who also work in media--not even TV or film but media in general--seems like missing the target.

 

[victreeb3l]

lol

I would not bother and I love the show

damn that bad huh?

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

Stern always calls it like he sees it, even if he comes off like a jerk.

I really don't like when women try to insist sexiness among their peers though. Being "sexy" is by definition being sexually desirable. If no one wants to fuck her, she's not sexy.

 

[Pyronite]

Dunham just picked up a Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy Series and Girls won Best Comedy or Musical.

Don't know that I'd call her the best technical actress, but nice to see the recognition. Her acceptance speech could have included a few more minorities.